AFRL Plans Mjolnir HPM Weapon Prototype

On July 28, the Directed Energy Directorate’s High-Power Electromagnetics Division (AFRL RDH) issued a call (FA9451-21-S-0001 Call 0006) for the follow-on Mjolnir effort under its Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) program. The Mjolnir project aims to “procure a single, near-production representative, cost- effective counter-unmanned aerial system (cUAS) that is suited to operational environments and performs at levels equal to or greater than AFRL’s existing Tactical High-Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) cUAS prototype. This prototype development intends to capitalize on earlier high-power microwave (HPM) systems and enable future transition to a program of record,” according to the program description. Program officials anticipate awarding a single contract, valued at approximately $20 million, for the 36-month Mjolnir effort.